Super Powered Anthology Makers

In 2006, the first volume of the Big Ass Mini-comic! (BAM!) was an anthology that collected over 70 mini-comics and other independent comics by over 60 artists into a 500 page trade paperback. It featured creators from all over the globe and from all walks of life. Every kind of style and genre of comics was there from comedy, satire/parody, gag, slice-of-life, journal, adventure/fantasy, manga inspired, and just plain artsy comics, all in one book. A new comic publisher, Super Powered Anthology Makers! (SPAM!) has announced they will be putting out the second volume entitled BAM Too! 


SPAM! publisher J.M. Hunter was an uncredited member of the editorial team and contributing artist to the first volume. Now Editor-in-Cheif of BAM Too!, Hunter is making a big push to get a new level of quality submissions. "Our first step was to make a short list of talented creators we wanted to approach before the open submissions call. Many artists have sent submissions, but we still have room!"

The deadline for submissions is fast approaching this June 1st, 2009. While the final selection for BAM Too! will not be made until after the deadline, there have been a number of quality submissions from the likes of 2003 winner of the Ignatz Award Jeffrey Brown, 2004 Ignatz Award nominee Matt Bellisle, mini-comic legend Matt Feazell, 2008 "Roddie" Best Cartoonist winner Wilbur Dawbarn, as well as artists Jerry Stanford, David DeGrand, Matthew Reidsma, Joe Decie, Edward J Grug III, Mark Campos, Jonathan Baylis, EdQuinby, the creators of BludBlood and many more.  BAM Too! is still taking submissions which means if you draw comics, your comic could be included too.

 

According to the submission guidelines, comics can be drawn in any style and in any genre and be about any topic. Submissions can be a new comic, or previously self-published. The artists will retain full rights and will be given ad space to where readers can find their comics. "We are looking for a broad range of submissions for anybody", explains SPAM! submissions editor, David Ano. "We are really looking for a diverse range of genres here, so the more unique your comic is, the better chance it will get in."

The idea of a large anthology of mini-comics was made to solve a problem with distribution. Most comic book stores go through Diamond Comic Distributors, who have tough standards for the level of sales a book needs to be listed. Many of the comic book shops have limited amount of shelf space that they save for the large publishers and do not usually risk on self published comics. Almost all mini-comics are sold directly from the artist. Ano explains, "we love mini-comics! The problem is the price of collecting them adds up. It is not the cover price of a mini-comic (which may only be anywhere from a quarter to three or four bucks), but it gets expensive when you add the cost of shipping from each of the artist. With BAM!, we try to have an affordable cover price and you only have to pay for shipping once. Furthermore, the idea of BAM! Is to give a chance for the artist to gain more exposure." Ano continues. "There are going to be a lot of comics in here. Some of them you will like, some that you may not like. But there will be something for everybody in this book. With such a diverse range of submissions we are broadening our audience. It will be a genuine chance for a reader to find out about an artist they never heard about before and for an artist to find new readers."

"Not only are the editors of BAM Too! putting this project together as a service to the self-publishing community, but also to make a book we too would want to read", adds Hunter "We want submissions from all genres, from all places that people are not only familiar with but not so familiar with," Hunter explains. "What does a Gothic Cowboy story look like? I don't know, but you may find it in here. Contemporary Romance with a sci-fi twist, but with talking animals? Hey why not?!"

"There are no limits with web and mini-comics," explains Ano. "Mini-comic artists are usually in it for the sake of the art form and expect little return. It is a real outsider art found with these artists spending their nights at photocopiers, folding and stapling, or with their scanners and modems. There are no publishers or editors telling them what or what not to draw. By doing it themselves, their possibilities are endless."

Hunter estimates that BAM Too! should be in print by late summer/early fall. New submissions can be sent by June 1st, 2009 by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or mailed to David Ano, 11977 Hall Rd., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189, USA. More information about BAM Too! can be found at www.barbedwaternoodle.com The previous printing can be found Print-On-Demand at http://www.lulu.com/content/480428